Wales' new First Minister opened up about key issues affecting North Wales as he visited the region.

Mark Drakeford was at the Salvation Army Centre in Wrexham with new Welsh Government minister for North Wales Ken Skates, to see the work they do with homeless people.

Before becoming Welsh Labour leader, the First Minister had said that he would appoint a minister to represent North Wales' interests, and Mr Skates was with him at the centre to discuss the topics which matter to the region.

The 'north/south divide'

Mr Drakeford said the appointment of Mr Skates as Minister for North Wales showed his commitment to the region and to giving it a prominent voice.

He said: "I know that Cardiff may seem remote, but I think people would be surprised just how much time on the floor of the assembly and generally, we spend talking about issues that are important to North Wales, but you have to make that visible to people and to give people the confidence to know that it is happening."

The Senedd in Cardiff

Mr Skates, who is also minister for economy and transport, said he wanted to address North Wales issues including trunk roads, rail services and Holyhead Port, and will be meeting with key partners across the region.

Congestion on the A55 and North Wales main roads

Mr Skates acknowledged there were problems with traffic on the A55 and the A494, and they were looking at spending £500m on improvements.

Heavy traffic going eastbound on the A55 (Image: Daily Post Wales)

"There are also issues on the A483 at many of the junctions and regular congestion on the England/Wales border at the Posthouse Junction and we are working with Highways England and Cheshire West, Chester Council and Flintshire Council on a potential solution," Mr Skates said.

There was also a "pinch point" scheme being rolled out to alleviate congestion elsewhere on trunk roads.

Impact of a 'no deal' Brexit

With Prime Minister Theresa May appearing to be heading for defeat in Tuesday's Parliament vote on her Brexit Deal, Mr Drakeford warned that leaving the EU with no deal could be disastrous for North Wales, and said the Welsh Government has been stepping up preparations for that scenario.

"Mrs May should take that off the table," said Mr Drakeford.

"She should say we will not leave without a deal.

"Here in North Wales, a no deal would have a major impact on companies like Airbus that rely on parts moving across the continent of Europe in a frictionless way, with no tariffs and non tariff barriers."

Holyhead port could be affected by a 'no deal' Brexit

He added: "With Holyhead, the problem will be lorries going into the European Union and the Republic of Ireland where the EU has said if we leave without a deal, then there will be checks at the border."

Health and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

With BCUHB still in special measures, Mr Drakeford said there were signs of improvement with a new chairman and board.

Mr Drakeford said: "What we need to plan for is how the health board moves on from being in special measures to a position where it is able to take full control over its own circumstances.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (Image: Trinity Mirror)

"I think there are promising signs, but there are no parts of Wales where the service isn't feeling the impact of austerity."

The staggering cost of Private Finance Initiatives (PFI)

With Wrexham council paying £15m a year for to a private company to collect the county's waste, Mr Drakeford has been asked to honour his manifesto pledge and intervene in PFI contracts.

The entrance to the Bryn Lane recycling centre on the Wrexham Industrial Estate

Mr Drakeford said: "I said I would institute an annual review of all the PFI contracts that public authorities hold in Wales.

"We want to make sure we are confident that those holding the contracts are still offering the best value for money and, if there is a better way of doing it, we would be able to do that."